Signs your iPhone might have a virus or malware

An iPhone with malware typically shows visible changes in how it behaves. The most common signs are a phone that runs slowly even after a restart, apps that crash repeatedly, or your battery draining much faster than usual. You might also notice your data usage spiking without explanation — malware often runs in the background and sends information off your device.

Other red flags include pop-ups that appear outside of apps or Safari, unexpected charges on your phone bill, or apps you do not remember installing. If your phone gets hot during normal use, or if Safari keeps redirecting to websites you did not ask for, those are also worth investigating. Some malware also causes your phone to restart on its own or become unresponsive for stretches of time.

Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can also mean your phone simply needs storage cleared out or a software update. A slow iPhone is not automatically infected — but it is worth checking.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones are harder to infect than Android phones because Apple controls what can be installed, but malware can still arrive through phishing links, fake apps, or compromised websites.
  • Check your installed apps by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and look for unfamiliar programs, especially ones you do not remember downloading.
  • Review your Safari browsing history and clear it if you see websites you did not visit, then check Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
  • Restart your phone in Safe Mode by holding the power button, then sliding to power off, then holding power again until you see "slide to power off" — if problems stop, an app is likely the cause.
  • If you suspect a real infection, back up your data through iCloud, then restore your iPhone through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Check what apps are installed on your phone

Open Settings, tap General, then tap iPhone Storage. This screen shows every app on your phone, sorted by size. Scroll through and look for programs you do not recognize or do not remember installing. Pay special attention to apps with generic names, apps that ask for unusual permissions, or apps that appeared recently without you downloading them.

If you find an app you did not install, tap it and select Remove App, then choose Delete App. This removes it completely. If an app keeps reappearing after you delete it, that is a stronger sign of malware — in that case, move to the restore steps below.

Also check your home screen and app library by swiping to the rightmost screen and scrolling through categories. Malware sometimes hides in folders or uses icons that look like system apps. If something looks out of place, delete it.

Review your Safari history and settings

Open Safari and tap the book icon at the bottom of the screen, then tap History. Look through the websites you have visited — if you see sites you did not go to, or if there are long lists of unfamiliar URLs, that suggests malware is redirecting your browser or running scripts in the background.

Clear your history by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. Choose "all time" to remove everything. Then go back to Settings > Safari and scroll down to check the search engine — it should be Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. If it is set to something unfamiliar, change it back.

Also check Settings > Safari > Extensions. If there are extensions you did not install, remove them by tapping Edit and then the minus sign next to the extension name.

Restart your phone in Safe Mode

Safe Mode prevents third-party apps from running, so if your phone works normally in Safe Mode but has problems in regular mode, an app is causing the issue. To enter Safe Mode, hold the power button (on the side of the phone) until the "slide to power off" screen appears. Release the power button, then hold it again until you see "slide to power off" a second time. The phone will restart with "Safe Mode" written in red at the bottom left of the lock screen.

Use your phone normally for a few minutes. If the slowness, crashes, or pop-ups stop, go back to your app list and delete any unfamiliar programs. Then restart normally by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning the phone back on.

If problems continue in Safe Mode, the issue is likely not malware — it could be a software bug, storage problems, or a hardware issue. If problems disappear in Safe Mode but you cannot find the bad app, move to the full restore option.

Check your iCloud account for unauthorized access

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > App & Website Passwords. Look through the list of saved passwords — if you see logins you do not recognize, someone may have accessed your account. Also check Settings > [Your Name] > Devices to see all phones, tablets, and computers signed into your Apple ID. If you see devices you do not own, tap them and select Remove.

Review your Apple ID sign-in history by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Review Your Account Security. Tap Recent Security Events to see when and where your account was accessed. If you see logins from places you were not, change your Apple ID password immediately.

If you find unauthorized access, change your password and enable two-factor authentication if you have not already. This prevents someone from signing into your account even if they have your password.

Restore your iPhone if you cannot find the problem

If you have tried the steps above and still suspect malware, the most reliable fix is to erase and restore your phone. This removes everything and reinstalls the operating system fresh. Before you do this, back up your data through iCloud: go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — this can take several minutes.

Once your backup is complete, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Choose Erase Now and enter your Apple ID password when prompted. Your phone will restart and walk you through setup. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in with your Apple ID. Select the backup you just created and wait for your data to restore.

This process takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Your phone will restart several times — do not interrupt it. When it finishes, your phone will have the same apps and data as before, but any malware will be gone.

How to prevent malware on your iPhone going forward

Keep your iPhone updated by going to Settings > General > Software Update and installing updates as soon as they become available. Apple releases security patches regularly, and staying current closes holes that malware exploits.

Only download apps from the App Store — do not use third-party app stores or sideloading. The App Store has review processes that catch most malware before it reaches users. Avoid clicking links in text messages or emails from unknown senders, and be cautious with links from people you know if the message seems out of character — their account may have been compromised.

Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID and for any important accounts (email, banking, social media). This makes it much harder for someone to access your accounts even if they get your password. Also review your app permissions regularly: go to Settings > Privacy and check which apps have access to your location, camera, microphone, and contacts. Remove permissions apps do not need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can iPhones get viruses like Android phones do?

iPhones can get malware, but it is less common than on Android because Apple controls what software can be installed and reviews apps before they reach the App Store. However, malware can still arrive through phishing links, compromised websites, or fake apps that slip past review. Staying on the App Store and keeping your phone updated makes infection unlikely.

Do I need antivirus software on my iPhone?

No. Apple's built-in security is sufficient for most users, and third-party antivirus apps cannot actually scan your phone the way they do on computers — iOS does not allow it. If an app claims to scan your phone for viruses, it is not doing what it says. Focus instead on the prevention steps: keep your phone updated, use the App Store only, and be careful with links.

What if I think I clicked a malicious link?

If you clicked a link and it took you to an unfamiliar website, close Safari immediately. Do not enter any passwords or personal information. Then go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data to remove the site from your history. Monitor your phone for the next few days for unusual behavior. If you entered a password, change it on a computer as soon as you can.

Will restoring my iPhone delete my photos and messages?

If you restore from an iCloud backup, your photos, messages, and other data will come back. If you erase without restoring from backup, everything is deleted. Always back up to iCloud before erasing. You can also back up to a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) if you prefer.

Why does my iPhone keep asking me to update my password?

This usually means Apple detected suspicious activity on your account or found a password that was compromised in a data breach elsewhere. Change your Apple ID password to something strong and unique. If the prompts continue after you change it, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security and review Recent Security Events to see if someone else is accessing your account.